Pray 4 MH370

Followers

Rose loves Dimitri, Dimitri might love Tasha, and Mason would die to be with Rose...

It's winter break at St. Vladimir's, but Rose is feeling anything but festive. A massive Strigoi attack has put the school on high alert, and now the Academy's crawling with Guardians--including Rose's hard-hitting mother, Janine Hathaway. And if handto- hand combat with her mom wasn't bad enough, Rose's tutor Dimitri has his eye on someone else, her friend Mason's got a huge crush on her, and Rose keeps getting stuck in Lissa's head while she's making out with her boyfriend, Christian! The Strigoi are closing in, and the Academy's not taking any risks. This year, St. Vlad's annual holiday ski trip is mandatory.

But the glittering winter landscape and the posh Idaho resort only create the illusion of safety. When three friends run away in an offensive move against the deadly Strigoi, Rose must join forces with Christian to rescue them. But heroism rarely comes without a price.

My Thought:

It's a WOW. I like Vampire Academy #1 but this one makes me fell in love! It's exciting, deviously cool, a fast pace page turners and I deliberately enjoyed the book so much. While the first book is a bit confusing, this one turned out to be more precisely explained and elaborated. Each characters were defined very well or maybe just excellent. They are well presented and each of them have an equal responsibility to make the story better. I found Rose's character is more serious, wiser and bright. Well, she seemed like a bit of a bit*h in the first book. The twisted feelings she has for Dimitri or a fling with Mason did gave some impact on the storyline.

New good and bad characters being introduced and I certainly love Adrian Ivashkov. I think he's rock. But the other two Strigoi characters, well, they played their parts very well for me as I'm awed when Rose was doing her actions killing those two.

The plot/storyline is good, interesting, enough to pull my attention and being absorbed by the book. However, the only flaw I could point out here is that the book is a little drag. The real actions only started like at the last 40 pages. It could be better if it started at the middle of the story. Too much drag on Rose feelings toward Dimitri, Mason, her mom and Adrian. It might be an asset for the next-next books but either way I think, overall, the book is still has its own charm. I could read it again and I probably will read the next sequel very soon.

Title: Not Another New Year'sAuthor: Chrissie RidgwayPages: 353Rating: 4/5

Summary (Goodreads):

After all, this year brought Hannah Davis nothing but the memory of her wandering fiancé marrying someone else behind her back. Now, sitting alone at a bar in Coronado, California, on December 31, she decides to do something radical and lets a brooding good-looker take her to bed. But when a hysterical woman bursts into their room much too early on New Year's Day, Hannah realizes this guy's more complicated than she thought.

Ex-Secret Service Agent Tanner Hart screwed up, big-time! Hoping to temporarily boot some of the ghosts from his life, he hooked up with this sexy stranger for a hot one-night stand—only to discover she's the woman he's agreed to protect, from men just like him!

But a new year is a time for fresh beginnings. Despite the danger, the hoopla, and the hangovers, if Hannah's brave enough to risk her heart again—and Tanner's wise enough to realize he deserves it—maybe this one will be different.

My Thought:

So, it's another romance genre again that I picked up to read. Well, obviously it was a good read. This one is totally cute, fun and a bit funny to put it all together. I love the scenery made for the storyline which in Coronado (I never know what it would be like), but the sound of beach and ocean is always a good choice!

Hannah is a quite a Miss Prissy and always love to please everyone. Her mom, dad, family, everyone. Which ends up the way she lived back stabbed her later on. How she's being dumped by her former fiancee' after he's already dead. There's a mystery though that kept her from move on. She has t find Caroline which is not important enough for me to know about her when there's only a slight explanation of why Caroline involved in her live. Mystery? Yes, but not that intriguing enough to make me wonders. Well on the other hand, Tanner is such a hot guy, and I can accept that as I always see any Secret Service Agent as a hot and neat man. Tanner's included. A fling between them is very sweet and also romantic which differences could be the best things that complete them each other.

Hannah and Tanner really made a good story but the secondary romance of his brother Troy and Disiree is quite compelling. Or maybe even better than the primary characters. The only thing that I feel disappointed with the book was how in ended. Like a straightforward and a statement full stop. End. Just like that. I wish there's an epilogue like they're married or something nice.

Overall, the book is a good mixture, mix and match of some funny, light, romance and action which lighten up the book. As I would conclude it is a fast pace, quick and heart warming read. I also just knew that Not Another New Years is actually a sequel to Must Love Mistletoe, and they said it's a bestseller so I don't know how interesting it would be but at the same time, really want to read it. And oh yes, I'll recommend everyone to read this. Whoever like any romance type of a book.

This beautiful and deeply moving tale recounts educational psychologist Torey Hayden's battle to unlock the emotions of a troubled and sexually abused child who, with the help of Hayden, was finally able to overcome her dark past and realise her full potential. Six-year-old Sheila was abandoned by her mother on a highway when she was four. A survivor of horrific abuse, she never spoke, never cried, and was placed in a class for severely retarded children after committing an atrocious act of violence against another child. Everyone thought Sheila was beyond salvation, except her teacher, Torey Hayden. With patience, skill, and abiding love, she fought long and hard to release a haunted little girl from her secret nightmare and nurture the spark of genius she recognized trapped within Sheila's silence. This is the remarkable story of their journey together, an odyssey of hope, courage, and inspiring devotion that opened the heart and mind of one lost child to a new world of discovery and joy.

My Opinion:

I read this a few weeks back and kind of forgot to write a review about it. *LOL*. So caught up with works (when the heck will this end though, right?). I'll make this one short though =)

Personally, this is the heart-wretching book ever this year (to date) to me! I was so absorbed by this book and can't put it down. Torey Hayden is such a great story teller. And such a great person too. I love how she handled the situation of this 'one child'. She gave me another perspective too as any child with a problem, abused, health problem shouldn't be call whatever I just mentioned but 'special' instead. In every horrible circumstances, a person is still a person no matter if she or he is just a small kid; that we are always (normally) think that they know nothing. Turns out, they can be stronger than we the grown-ups. Yes, I'm not married, and I don't have kid. But, to treat a child in a very harsh way is not a way of a good parental. I cried when I read how bad she's being treated and neglected. And being so mad too.

Sheila was a wonderful kid and very bright. However, she went through a hard life that it made me hurt just to think about what she'd been through. But I was really glad Sheila found a great teacher to share and learn how to be a better person. Even though this is an emotional story, but I found it exciting with a few funny parts in it. Kids, how can they be not funny? Part of me really grateful that I have lovely parents and I feel bad when I think of how naughty I am when I was at Sheila's age.

I was really touched reading the book. I'm thinking of finding her other books as well because this is my first time I read something from Torey Hayden and I'm loving it! Do you have any particular good book from her? Love to share and hear your opinion too. I would recommend this to anyone who's looking for a quite heavy read, anyone who loves Jodi Picoult as well as anyone who wants to give a try.

Title: Succubus In The City (#1)Author: Nina HarperPages: 400Rating: 3.5/5

Synopsis (Goodreads):

AFTER THREE THOUSAND YEARS OF ONE-NIGHT STANDS, A GIRL JUST WANTS A LITTLE MORE.

Working for Satan is a hot gig. The Devil really does wear Prada, and Lily can sport all the dazzling fashion she desires, eat all the fabulous food she craves, and hang for all eternity with her three demon girlfriends. But serving up bad boys to the fiery pits of Hell is just getting, lonely. Lily gives the jerks, the creeps, and the liars the best (and last) night of their lives, but she’s tired of waking up to a pile of ashes. She wants a guy who will stick around.

BUT A MYSTERIOUS MAN IS TURNING UP THE HEAT. . . .

Nathan Coleman is a devilishly handsome, laid-back P.I. who wants to ask Lily a few questions about a missing man. But someone–or something–wants Lily and her friends dead, and Nathan seems to know more than he’ll admit to. Can a sweet-talking mortaland a girl from Hell find true love?

My Thought:

Hmm.. I don't now how to put it nicely. I just finished reading it and I thought it was predictable but actually everything was twisted another way round when what I'd expected doesn't seem to match. This rather be a short review of mine since I don't anything of which if I like or dislike it. Maybe the book is just a so-so for me.

Everything was pretty subtle. It was a fast read and quite entertaining. Actually I was amazed of how a demon works like any other normal people in a daily basis. Wow. Demons live among us, no wonder there's so many bad people around. However, instead of ruining or wreck people's live, Lily's work is only delivers jerks a.k.a bad guys while having sex. I know it sounds gross but there's no erotica scenes in the book. It was done nicely and I kind of like of how Nina Harper managed to make it moderate. I mean, it's OK for everyone to read it. Some said the book similar with Sex and the City but I never read it.

As I read the book, I kept imagining Elizabeth Hurley and Brandon Fraser (oh he so cute!) in Bedazzled. But there's nothing in common. Just imagine that demon traps people to sell their souls and sign contract to hell. There are a few interesting demons like sex demon, greed demon, jealousy demon etc. If you have any of that feeling, then it's because demon is near you. So you are totally not the one to blame. But that's not the point. She's a demon and of course she's lonely when every man dates her become ashes afterward. When she met Nathan, well, it's predictable right? I thought Nathan will be the one who will release Lily being a demon and be her one true love. NO. Nathan freaked out! He's ok at first, but he NEEDS TIME to think. That being said, it's twisted right? The end of it, is quite weird.

The only flaw I I found in the book was the mysterious of Demons Hater @ Knight Defender is quite cliff hanging. It doesn't relate between Lily's being lonely and not turning her man into ashes. Maybe I'll find out in the second book, Succubus Takes Manhattan. Weird thing is, I never know about the 3rd installment. Anyone knows about it?

It first started with Cirque Du Freak, where Darren and his best friend went to watch a freak show performance in an old theater. I love everything Darren portrayed about everyone in the freak show. It was awesome and I'm awed. The characters are wonderful even the bad one. But wait, in the first installment, Mr. Crespley is kind of the bad guy. Darren is a good kid with his loving family, adorable sister, Annie. But, worst thing happened as Steve was stung by Madam Octa (like a tarantula spider, deadly poisonous). Darren was scared, and he made a deal with Mr. Crespley to be his vampire assistant in order to save Steve.

You should read it to know how he faked his death and all to vanish from his family and this world. It is so believable!

The second one, The Vampire Assistant, continuing the journey of Darren as a half-vampire. He was so bored with his new life and he was sad not to able make friends with normal kids. He tends to hurt them even he doesn't mean it. I felt so sorry for him. Well, it's a bit sad you know. Then Mr. Crespley asked whether he would like to join the Cirque Du Freak. They joined them and Darren was so happy when Mr. Crespley asked him afterward about how he's doing, Darren answered; "I made a friend". Simple sentence, but hell yes I love the feeling of a happy kid. He befriended with Evra Von, a snake boy and he's a nice young boy too. And afterward, they made another good friend, Sam and even a bad one too. This installment is a quest of how Darren become a full vampire. Before, he insisted not to drink human blood and only survive on animals blood only. Eventually, he has to drink human blood in order to live. Darren did. He drained his best friend blood Sam at the end of the second book. Don't get him wrong. Sam nearly died after being half eaten by the wolf-man and he has to do that so he could restore the memory and Sam's good life in him. If not, Sam would be a ghost, wandering around without being able to cross to the other world; heaven.

The last installment of the saga is Tunnels of Blood. Up until now, Darren and Mr. Crespley are not in a very good term. Darren confused, as he always thinking about to kill Mr. Crespley while he was sleeping. he talked to Evra about this a lot when the followed Mr. Crespley for his work. Both Evra and Darren played, made a girlfriend, shopping, meeting people and have loads of fun together. And, made an enemy; Mr. Crespley himself. A few dead bodies, blood drained empty found around the city. The worst part, Mr. Crespley is the killer. Evra and Darren planned to follow and take actions to kill him when the right time comes. Which in the end, they were nearly be killed by a vampenenze. Sounds like a chimpanzee though. *LOL*. The truth came out, the vampenenze is the one building a nest of blood tunnels under the city. Yup. Spooky and scary. So, it ends up Mr. Crespley and Darren made a truce. They will trust each other onwards.

My Thought:Superb!! I totally love the first three series of The Darren Shan Saga a.k.a. Vampire Blood. What I like the most is that the author is Darren Shan himself. Well, maybe it is the twist of his own life journal but I found it rather amusing and a bit neat.

There are few interesting facts about vampires in the series.

1) Vampires are immortals. But they don't live forever as they will die eventually. Vampire's aging 1 year in 10 years of human world. So I guess if I'm 100, then he's only 10. Wow. While half-vamp is 1 in 5 human years.

2) Vampire don't have fangs. Face the truth people. They only slit the throat open with their nail and sucked the blood in a small dose in order to survive.

3) They can and they have to eat regular human food to survive. A vampire that live only on blood are vampenenze and they slaughtered the victims. But, they are loyal and can be trusted. Keep their promise more than anything.

4) Cirque Du Freak has incredible people. I wish I could watch it my self. =)

That is actually some of awesome facts I found. In this book, I didn't see any spectacular writing, the thing that drew me in was the plot. The whole thing was near perfect. However, I just love it as it is now. If I were 15, this would be my best read EVER for this year! I love Harry Potter and I love Darren Shan too!I never read Percy Jackson yet, but i know I will collect this series. I know my review doesn't give much this time because I love the book. I am not a horror book fan but this one is different.

I give this book 5 stars because of it's incredible imagination. Also, there's some cool actions from the characters. I highly recommend this book to any person who loves a good vampire story. And whoever love Harry Potter, R.L. Stine and Christopher Pike!I also found a few blogger who already read this and I think their review are better than mine. Check them out! If you also have read this, I would glad to know what your reviews. Leave a link =)

Hi everyone! I know it was so long since my last book review or post on my blog. I truly never mean it. But I personally miss everyone so much, and I am so sorry for not replying comments and make any visit to your blogs. I will redeem myself later. *LOL* I was so super busy and April is such a chaos and hectic month for me. I was so caught up with schools, seminars, presentations and anything in between that prevent me to write something on my blog. I definitely cannot resist it. And having 1 and a half month preparation to submit my master thesis is not going to help me. Wish me luck because I am going to really need it =(

Eager to learn everything she can about her new abilities as an Immortal, Ever turns to her beloved Damen to show her the way. But just as her powers are increasing, Damen’s are waning. In an attempt to save him, Ever travels to the magical dimension of Summerland, where she learns the secrets of Damen’s tortured past; a past which he has always kept hidden from her. But in her quest to cure Damen, Ever discovers an ancient text that details the workings of time. Now Ever must chose between turning back the past and saving her family from the accident that claimed their lives or staying in the present and saving Damen, who grows sicker every day.

My Thought:

Honestly, I'm quite disappointed with the second sequel of The Immortals. I didn't necessarily hate this book. That being said, I only had a lot of issues with it.

I liked the 1st book Evermore because I thought the author manage to introduce new ideas and concepts like, auras, "elixir” of life, chakras and so on. That's maybe the reason why I decided and can’t wait to read the second one Blue Moon.

However, I was totally DISAPPOINTED...I read so much of good reviews on the second book, on how the excellent idea and twist and everything going to woo me much more than Evermore. This book started with promise, yes. Right until Roman starts to reveal his evil self and turns everyone against Ever at high school. Roman is an obvious jerk and protagonist character, of which the author isn't very subtle about. I find the fact Ever only seems to notice that he is from England a while after knowing him, quite confusing. I always hate that he is portrayed in a rather simple, stereotyped manner. I hate how he often says "mate" and "bugger off", they are apparently the only words of English slang that he knows of. Like the first book, the author like to focus on the “pressing” his/her lip. Urghh. And hey, I already knew Damon is super cute, super hot and super gorgeous. You don’t have to tell the readers about the ‘fun-facts’ in every chapter about that OK.

I found the book getting worse and worse as it drew towards the end, what with Ever taking a trip to Summerland with Eva to try and find an antidote for Damen. The book there on just drags and seems like to make things up in an unconditionally crappy way. Like the author has to end the story exactly on page 284. There’s an excellent plot there, but the elaboration and how she write on everything is just in obvious cliff hanging facts. Finally the ending is totally like a super rush. On that exact moment suddenly Ever made the stupidest mistake. How easily she’d been tricked to Ramon to save Damen.

Last but not least, I'm so don't understand how could blending saliva of two person while kissing, not forget to mention if touching could change human DNA. Of course we can be imaginative but please, this reason is absolutely crap. How could that possibly be? OK, if it a yes, why wouldn't the author at least explain it more on that particular fact? Make it believable or at least do some research on that. Science is not just facts. It can be subjective too, with some logic mix and match. And if the author really want to project some new idea to prevent both of Damen and Ever could never be together because of the obstacle, then this idea is absolutely the worst. I bet if Damen and Ever could not have child because Damen's blood already has the same sequence like Ever because the antidote mixed with Ever's blood, then maybe that sounds really real to me. I'm not against the idea and it's not like I cannot be an imaginative person. I can. But I also like to think while I read. That is how I understand and imagine things written on a plain white sheet. Well, each person is different in her/his own way though, right?

Oh yes, I did found one good thing about the book. I'm so glad I read it that I have so many things to comment and to questions why and how this and that. At least I'm improving my imaginative ability. *LOL*

Enough said, I don't know if I really want to recommend to anyone to read this book. But if you don't mind the fact she made up, then this will might interest you. Not to forget, it's fast read and could be enjoyable too. Not to me, obviously. A worth read to kill some time.

Nonetheless, I think I will read Shadowland not very soon. Wait and see what my opinion will be. =) God, hope it will be better, please.

p/s: The review is actually the second time I write. I accidentally erased while editing the post. I try to remember what I've wrote but failed. *LOL*

Two women--each engaged to the wrong man.Two weddings--but not the ones they plan.

"A Little Bit Country"

Rorie Campbell has a pleasant, predictable life in San Francisco, where she's seeing a pleasant, predictable man. Then, one vacation, her car breaks down on an Oregon country road, and horse rancher Clay Franklin comes to her rescue. Rorie soon discovers that a city girl can fall in love with a country man. But Clay has no right to return her feelings because he's engaged to another woman.

"Country Bride"

Kate Logan is devastated when Clay Franklin, her former fiance and the man she's always loved, marries Rorie Campbell instead. But at Clay's wedding, and after a glass of champagne too many, Kate proposes to her longtime friend, rancher Luke Rivers. Luke accepts her proposal and refuses to renege on his promise. What's more, he insists that Kate doesn't love Clay, she loves him.

My Review:

I've never read Debbie Macomber but I heard a lot of good reviews on her books. Country Brides is a compilation of two story of two couples. I have read a lot of comments about this book on Goodreads as well as Amazon. Although most of them were not really giving such good comments and rates, I think this book didn't really let me down. It's a romance type and a very quick read. Can't blame on the fast pace of how the story was told for a love at first sight. This a good book if you are looking for something that doesn't take much thinking and is easy to read. It's a book that make you relax that holds interest at the end of a long day and this one filled the request. Voila!

Macomber definitely an excellent writer as I was easily absorbed with this book. The simplicity of the storyline, of how she created a very down to earth scenario is absolutely how a love at first would be. Maybe it sounds a little bit corny, but I love it. While the second story is actually a chronology from the first story. Kate, the ex-fiancee of Clay is trying to figure out how she could find her own happiness after the man she loves married someone else. Turn out the happiness she was looking for is actually a man who is always next to her. Someone who is really really confident that 'he's the man' for her.

I love reading the book and I am sure that the time spent reading this book is worth a tiny bit something. One thing for sure, this book will definitely not be the last book of her I'll read.

Title: A Bend in the RoadAuthor: Nicholas SparksPages: 352Rating: 4.5/5

Summary (Barnes&Noble):

The nearly thwarted but eventually triumphant romance of deputy sheriff Miles Ryan and second-grade teacher Sarah Andrews goes down as easily as marshmallow fluff and offers about as much real nourishment. Miles's high school sweetheart, Missy, was killed in an unsolved hit and run accident, leaving him to raise their son, Jonah, in New Bern, N.C. Sarah's politically ambitious husband, Michael, dumped her when her ovaries proved inactive, and she fled to New Bern to teach, and love, other people's kids. Miles and Sarah meet at a parent-teacher conference, and the sparks fly. But there's a fly in the ointment as well; an italicized voice threaded among the happy chapters alerts us that Missy's death was caused by someone whose identity, if revealed, could destroy Miles and Sarah's new-found joy. As tough truth shadows their landscape, Miles and Sarah find depths within themselves, and their rekindled light illumines all. New Bern becomes a city of the reborn. Charlie Curtis, Miles's stickler boss, learns to bend; Missy's aimless killer morphs into a healer; and Jonah once again knows a mother's love.

My Opinion:

There's two side of the story. One is from a narrator and another is the story itself. I was intrigued the whole time I was reading the book. You see, I was wondering who is that narrator. Because the narrator is somewhat in grief and guilty. I've been guessing it's Sarah herself at the first glance. But I thought wrong which made the story even more exciting and mysterious.

Like Sparks' other books, I enjoyed this book too. I was easily hooked up and absorbed with the story as it made me can't wait to finish it but feel sad when it nearly comes to the end. The conflict of Miles to face his wife's death after two whole years still distraught him and he nearly lost himself when he wanted revenge against someone who is innocent (although the accused was a total jerk).

The story started with an introduction of Miles, Jonah and Sarah. As he met Sarah, he thought he could forget and start a new life once again with his son. The same feeling happened to Sarah too. Divorced by an unrealistic reason, I felt so sorry for her. Though Sarah was hurt by her previous divorce, she sees Miles as someone she could trust. Miles and Sarah's attraction to each other is both gradual and realistic as they begin to emerge from their old fears and broken hearts. I love all the moments when they were together and indulged in every bits of it. Sounds pretty romantic. =)

However, the new relation they working on wavered. In a heart wrenching and clever twist of fate, circumstances intervene and threaten to destroy this couple's new found happiness. Emotions ride high as the reader is kept guessing until the last page is finished as to whether love can really overcome all. I hardly believe or guess what will Miles will do in the end. And I ensure you, it ended with a sweet happy ending. The story is a fine addition with memorable characters facing real life problems. Readers will be reluctant to part with Miles and Sarah as their story comes to a gripping conclusion. As they said, LOVE CONQUERS ALL. So true.

The story really swept me away. Maybe it will do the same to you too *wink*

Finally March has ended and time for my monthly wrap up. I think I just did very well, better than February. March has been so exciting for me as I read a lot of YA books that I've never thought I would. But I did and I definitely enjoyed my March.

At first, I thought I could at least read 15 books in March. However, my plan didn't worked out well as I only managed to read 12 books instead. So far I've read 28 books for this year. I've wonder if I could reach 100 by December 2010.

Here is the list of books I've read for March 10. I know they are not many, but what the heck =)

I'm hoping April will be good as well as March or a lot better. But considering how busy I am with my thesis writing, I'm not that sure, really. I've been stopping doing weekly memes last two weeks if you realized. Maybe I wont be doing any memes for April too, but it's just for temporary. Except for books' reviews.

OK enough ramblings, Darlyn! I think March was a great time for everyone too, right? Definitely a lot better than I am I suppose. But I would love to hear everybody's March. Chime in and share. Or leave a link to your blog if you are doing something same like this too and I'll be visiting you too.. =)

Have a delightful April and HAPPY READING!

p/s: This is totally true and absolutely not a prank. I'm not doing an April Fool *wink*